Mail-bag



No. 627,434. Patented June 20, I899. R. B. MILLER.

MAIL BAG.-

(Application filed May 16, 1899.) (No Model.)

1 y =4. =1 I; Z I 212E B [52 62 a n5 wi/liwzaoao UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

REUBEN B. MILLER, OF DENGLERS, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- I'IALF TO CHARLES G. BUBKI'IART, OF SHILLINGTON, PENNSYLVANIA.

MAIL-BAG.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 627,434, dated June 20, 1899.

Application filed May 16, 1899. Serial No. 717,005. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, REUBEN B. MILLER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Denglers, in the county of Berks and State of Pennsylvania,-have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mail-Bags; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in mail-bags, the object of the invention being to produce a mail bag or pouch that is easily and securely locked and at the same time allowing easy access to the contents thereof.

The invention is fully described in the following specification and clearly shown in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is an elevation of my improved mail-bag. Fig. 2 is a top View of the bag when closed. Fig. 3 isa top view of the bag when opened. Fig. 4 is a sectional view on line 0c :0 of Fig. 1.

The body of the bag A is of leather or other suitable material, and its top edge is secured to a hinged closing-frame B B. These framepieces B B extend the full width of the bag and have depending arms b on each end thereof. The extreme ends of these arms I) are hinged together at b, allowing the parts B B to open and closef The frame-piece B is formed with a flange i around its outer edges, and the piece B is adapted when closed to rest in the piece B, so that its face is flush with the edge of the flange t'.

The fram e-piece B is provided with two longitudinal slots bi and the piece B has secured thereto staples b and b adapted to enter said slots when the frame is closed.

At a point 0 on'the frame B is pivotally secured a locking-arm 0,,the one end of which is formed with a hook'c adapted to enter the staple 12 which "projects beyond the face of the frame-piece B. At a point midway between the pivotal point 0 and the staple b the arm 0 is formed with a vertical slot 0 adapted to ride on a pin b secured to the face of the frame-piece B. The other end of the arm 0 is formed with a longitudinal slot f, through which the staple 79 projects and to which staple an ordinary padlock L is secured. The arm 0 is hinged at a point gbetween the slot f and the slot 0.

The frame-piece B has a handle G secured to the center thereof for the purpose of conveniently handling the bag.

To open the bag, the block L is removed. The hinged end of the arm 0 is opened, as shown in dotted lines, Fig. 2. The arm is swung on the pivotal'point 0, allowing the pin Z) to travel to the top of the slot 0 and releasing the hook c from the staple b and the frame-pieces B B are opened, exposing the mouth of the bag and allowing easy access thereto.

The convenience of opening and closing the bag is evident, as is also the neat appearance and effectiveness of the locking device.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim is- In a mail-bag, the body A having a twopiece hinged frame B B, secured to the top thereof, the frame-piece B adapted to rest within the frame-piece B and formed with staples adapted to pass through openings or slots in the frame-piece B, a hinged locking-arm O pivotally secured to the frame-piece B, formed with a hook on one end adapted to engage the staple on the frame B and its other end adapted to pass over the other staple thereon, the pivotal movement of said arm being limited by a slot 0 therein, and moving in said slot on a pin secured to the frame piece B, all substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.-

REUBEN B. MILLER. 

